The Prequels Had Too Much CGI. So?

given the number of practical effects used in Phantom Menace that people ASSUMED were cgi, that movie is probably unfairly maligned for 'overuse', but star wars has always pushed the envelope of special effects right from the beginning in 1977.

The problem with sfx (not just cgi) is using it where it can't or won't blend with the scene. everything from visible strings to cgi characters that look pasted on, all call attention to themselves. good sfx are not noticed. it's like a magician's trick... you should be wondering 'how did he do that?', not 'that looks fake!'

"He's dusted, busted and disgusted, but he's ok"

it's like a magician's trick... you should be wondering 'how did he do that?', not 'that looks fake!' Exactly.

So? So, it looks cartoonish, which takes some people out of the movie.

For example the lizard Obi-wan rides hasn't aged very well. That part always looked like a scene of out of a comic book or a toy set. In addition, it looked like crap!

But despites complaints about CGI, if it looks good even after a decade is there anything wrong with its alleged overuse? /title/tt2527336/board/thread/264621525. In that thread, I explain: "Some people just don't like CGI because it doesn't have the same artistic value as actors and animatronics. Some don't like it because it is overused. Some don't like it because it impairs interacting actors' performances. Some don't like it because it often isn't done well enough to age well, which may be a matter of graphical errors or physics (animation) errors."

Anakin and Obi-Wan dueling on a CGI volcano felt like footage from a video game.

Metallica ships Fluttershy and Discord

Anakin and Obi-Wan dueling on a CGI volcano felt like footage from a video game. It wasn't a CGI volcano. Though I'm sure it was digitally "enhanced". Undoubtedly chroma key composite imagery (blue screen or green screen) technology was used.

If overuse of CGI was the only problem with the prequels I think people would be a lot more forgiving of them. The real problems are bad writing and wooden performances.

And the fact that a lot of the bad acting comes from good actors might have something to do with the CGI, since they were mostly working with green screen, having to react to things that weren't actually there, etc.

The bad acting was all intentional to fit the serial matinee vibe they were going for, watch Flash Gordon and tell me with a straight face that the acting is good.

The prequels did have a lot of issues, though it was more writing/script/plot stuff that derailed them.

I have no problem with the CGI as long as it is done well, which it certainly was in the Prequels in most instances. I do prefer more "practical effects" but will give Lucas and company credit for doing a good job with the graphics.